Needle-hole cameras were installed on the roof beams, window lattices, and in the soil of the flowerpots, capturing the scene from three different angles...
Both the audio and video recordings were exceptionally clear.
As soon as the three of them entered the reception hall and closed the door, everyone intently watching the feed held their breath, their eyes glued to the screen...
"Father-in-law returned so quickly. The journey must have been arduous?" Consort Hui, holding a water kettle, poured a cup of tea for Marquis Jingnan.
Marquis Jingnan smiled faintly, "I've waited seven to eight years for this matter. Now that it's nearing a conclusion, how could I not be anxious?"
"Father-in-law, you and Yue'er just came from the palace, right? How is that dog emperor doing? Is he close to kicking the bucket?" Consort Hui giggled.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yue stammered, "Mother, Mother... Mother Consort, Father, Father Emperor can't even get out of bed. His breath is as faint as a thread. He might, he might pass away tonight, hehe..."
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he truly wouldn't have believed that such powerful Gu worms existed in the world.
They were more potent than arsenic or poison.
As long as a sub-Gu was planted within someone, that person would become a puppet, manipulated at will...
It had to be said, his maternal grandfather's plan was exceptionally foolproof.
Consort Hui heard this and laughed even louder, "Hahaha, it's good that he's passing away. He's been on the throne for so many years, it's time for him to 'reach the end of his natural life.' Hmph, occupying the position without doing anything, having no achievements or contributions. My Yue'er is the most suitable to be emperor..."
Once Yue'er ascended the throne, she would be the rightful Empress Dowager. She wondered which of the other consorts in the harem would dare to defy her?
Marquis Jingnan was a man of deep thought and considered matters comprehensively...
He set down his teacup, walked to the door, and glanced outside, "Yuyan, have there been any unusual visitors to this nunnery recently? Especially any shifty-looking pilgrims!"
Consort Hui blinked her beautiful eyes, "No... no, Father-in-law. Even if pilgrims come to worship Buddha, they just kowtow and burn incense in the main hall before leaving. I never let them near the woodshed or the reception hall!"
Alas, Father-in-law worries too much. The Fahua Nunnery is heavily guarded by hidden sentries, so much so that not even a pigeon can fly in, let alone those with ill intentions...
Marquis Jingnan withdrew his gaze and nodded, "That's good. The Emperor is already on his last breath, the Crown Prince has been deposed, Prime Minister Yang has been exiled to the frontier, and there are very few people left in the court who can manage the situation. If I just add fuel to the fire at this critical juncture, the Emperor will be completely finished..."
"The army will march into the capital. Anyone who disobeys or refuses to yield will be killed without mercy. I refuse to believe that those pedantic ministers in court will stubbornly resist, hehe!"
Before returning to the capital, he had already dispatched people to investigate the capital's defenses...
The mere twenty thousand or so city defense troops were nothing to be reckoned with.
"Father-in-law is truly the most capable!" Consort Hui was overjoyed, her eyes crinkling with delight.
Marquis Jingnan walked back to his seat, finished his tea, and chatted with Consort Hui about other matters before remembering the Gu worm hidden in the secret chamber, "By the way, how is the Gu worm? Is it still healthy?"
"Of course, it's healthy! I feed it three drops of vital essence from a grown man every day, keeping the Gu worm plump and well-fed. If Father-in-law doesn't believe me, I'll take you to see it now..."
Consort Hui said with a proud expression, then ordered Nanny Xing, "What are you waiting for? Quickly open the door to the secret chamber!"
"Understood, Your Ladyship!"
A moment later, the group slowly climbed down the ladder of the secret passage and into the chamber...
The surveillance footage from the palace also switched cameras.
"Xi Tian, can all this footage be saved?" Emperor Cheng asked, sitting in front of the screen.
If it wasn't saved, it couldn't be used as evidence in court...
Little Xi Tian smiled sweetly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Not a single bit is missing, it's all been recorded!"
"That's good, that's good!" Emperor Cheng's taut nerves relaxed slightly.
Inside the secret chamber.
Marquis Jingnan meticulously examined the Gu worm, but felt something was amiss...
"Huh? It seems... it seems something is not right!" Marquis Jingnan muttered to himself.
Consort Hui was slightly taken aback, and asked curiously, "Father-in-law, what's... what's wrong? What's not right?"
Xiao Yue was also bewildered, looking at Marquis Jingnan, "Grand... Grandfather, this, this worm, it, it always looked like this, why, why is it not right?"
Marquis Jingnan felt a bit flustered and glared at Xiao Yue, "Have you ever seen a Gu worm this big? Even if you feed it vital essence every day, a Gu worm wouldn't grow this large. It looks like it weighs six to seven catties..."
This Gu worm was purchased at a high price from the Miao region.
When he brought it back, it was only as thick as a finger. Now, it was almost as thick as a club.
"Oh, Father-in-law, don't be so suspicious. Rabbits and other animals get fatter the more they are fed, let alone a big worm. You're just overthinking things..." Consort Hui said helplessly.
Marquis Jingnan sighed, suppressed his inner doubts, and asked, "Yuyan, immediately control the Gu worm and have it command the Emperor to transfer all the capital's guards and the Imperial Forest Army away!"
His army would reach the capital tonight. To minimize losses, transferring the guard army and the Imperial Forest Army was the best option...
Then he would have Emperor Cheng personally write an imperial decree of abdication and announce it to the world. Yue'er would then become the emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty.
"Alright, Father-in-law, I'll try!"
Consort Hui swayed her willow waist, slowly walked to the Gu worm, and then muttered incantations...
After a string of nonsensical words, the Gu worm emitted a hazy glow, as if responding to Consort Hui's summons.
However, Emperor Cheng, sitting in the Hall of Diligent Governance, showed no reaction at all, even looking like he wanted to laugh.
"Father Emperor, see? This is how you were controlled before..." Xiao Jinheng said indignantly.
It was fortunate that they discovered it in time, preventing Father Emperor from straying further down the wrong path.
Emperor Cheng listened with a hint of shame and patted Xiao Jinheng's hand, "As long as there is still room for recovery, I will never allow them to act recklessly..."
After speaking, Emperor Cheng looked at Kong Xingzhuo, "Commander Kong, it's time to cast the net!"
The evidence had been fully collected, and the rebels were nearing the capital. Next, he would put an end to this matter completely and bring back the blue sky to the Great Liang Dynasty...
Kong Xingzhuo nodded heavily, "This humble subject obeys the imperial decree!"
With that, he quickly strode out of the Hall of Diligent Governance, then led a hundred imperial guards and a hundred Imperial Forest Army soldiers, galloping towards the direction of the Fahua Nunnery.
Consort Hui, your good days are finally coming to an end...